Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.
Career, Workforce Focus
The Fort Smith Public School District, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce are partnering on a three-event program that focuses on career and workforce programs offered through the district’s Peak Innovation Center.
On Feb. 2-3, the three groups hosted Industry Days at Peak to highlight the district’s Career and Technical Education Program and the students working on earning industry credentials.
A River Valley Career Launch event is set for March 10 and the Launch to Success event is scheduled for May 4. The Career Launch event will include a career expo and hiring event, and the Launch to Success event will recognize students who are hired by regional employers, according to the district. All events are free to businesses.
“Students represent our future workforce, and it is critical that they understand the quality companies, industries, and career paths that exist beyond high school,” said Tim Allen, chamber president and CEO.
188th Award
The 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) and Team Ebbing Lightning Logistics (TELL) have received the General Mark A. Welsh III “One Air Force” Award for the Air National Guard. The units will now compete to be recognized as the top logistics team within the Air Force.
The General Mark A. Welsh III “One Air Force” Award is an Air & Space Force-level award given for mission success achieved by a team made up of two or more total force components who best demonstrate improved effectiveness, operational readiness, or mission accomplishment through integrated solutions, according to the 188th.
The 188th LRS made history by establishing a first-of-its-kind Foreign Military Sales (FMS) F-35 training unit – bringing together Air National Guard Airmen, active duty’s 85th Fighter Group, international partners from countries such as Poland, and Lockheed Martin contractors.
“Since the growth of operations at Ebbing, there’s been a deliberate shift to a blended workforce,” said Tech. Sgt. Richard Green, the 188th LRS equipment accountability element non-commissioned officer in charge, said in a statement. “As the mission expanded – especially with the introduction of the Foreign Military Sales mission – the team at Ebbing gained a wealth of technical expertise by bringing civilians and contractors on board. This collaboration has helped create a more efficient, cohesive, and highly capable team.”
One of the biggest challenges for the team, according to the 188th, was understanding the systems and requirements associated with the FMS mission. The 188th members traveled to Luke Air Force Base (Arizona), Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, (Texas), and Truax Field Air National Guard Base, (Wisconsin), and other military installations.
Baptist Health Hire
Cindy Booth, an advanced practice registered nurse, has been hired to work at Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Fort Smith.
A native of La Verne, Calif., Booth earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from West Coast University in Ontario, Calif., and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has more than 10 years of nursing experience in hospital and outpatient clinical settings.
At Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Fort Smith, Booth will work with Dr. Michael Colgrove and two certified nurse midwives.
“I strive to create a safe, respectful and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their concerns and asking questions,” Booth said. “I enjoy educating and empowering patients so they can make informed decisions about their health and feel confident in their care plans.”
Baptist Health Women’s Clinic–Fort Smith is located at 1500 Dodson Ave., Suite 230.
Discover Fort Smith Retirement
Amy Jones, director of sales with Discover Fort Smith, is retiring effective Feb. 20 after 11 years with the agency that markets the city for tourism and business travel.
According to a statement from Discover Fort Smith, Jones played a role in strengthening the agency’s sales efforts by cultivating relationships and promoting Fort Smith as a welcoming and competitive destination.
“Amy’s contributions over the past 11 years have been truly immeasurable,” said Ashleigh Bachert, executive director of Discover Fort Smith. “She consistently put the team first, led with integrity, and was always willing to roll up her sleeves to get the job done. Beyond being a valued colleague, she has been a trusted partner and a friend. She will be deeply missed.”
During the search for a new director of sales, Bachert will oversee sales efforts, according to the agency.. The organization is seeking candidates with a background in convention center or destination sales, “along with a team-first mindset that aligns with Discover Fort Smith’s culture of collaboration, positivity, accountability, and organization-wide success,” the agency noted.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter via email to [email protected].